Mystic Hallows Harem Box Set Episodes 1-4: Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance

by Nikki Landis

  “Go on,” I laughed, watching as Gypsy was whisked away by Autumn and the Bishop twins and provided the exact moment I was waiting for. I was alone. Knowing that my Cosan was close and I was sure to enjoy at least one of their presence soon, I decided I had to act now. Hiding in the crowd wasn’t hard. I only needed to reach the end of Elm St. and then I could take the dark and secluded path to Rolling “Raven” Rock Cemetery.

  Lifting the ebony hood over my head, I chanted a spell of protection and invisibility. The charm wouldn’t last long but I only needed an hour to make my escape. My scent would be disguised, my movements blurred as my footsteps were absorbed by the soft ground and wet leaves accompanied by the music that pulsed through each body in attendance. I was practically a ghost.

  Before long, I stood at the entrance gates of the cemetery and made my way inside, feeling almost nostalgic at the sight of the numerous gifts stacked throughout the graveyard. The cemetery was aglow with candlelight and the flickering flames that billowed gently in the evening breeze. I cast a quick spell and reinforced their wicks to ensure they remained shining until dawn. Skulls, flowers, and treats were spread around the family crypts and headstones while photographs were nestled with care in remembrance. I had placed my own pictures on the first day of Samhain and they still sat exactly as I left them, untouched by the weather or passage of time.

  A rustling sound drew my attention and I paused, sensing the familiar presence of a certain moody vampire. He was right on time.

  “Have a change of heart, my sweet little witch?”

  Dmitri was leaning against the side of the Howe family crypt, his usual smug smile lingering on his handsome face. He was dressed in typical Samhain attire, complete with a dark indigo colored suit, crimson button-down shirt left gaping at the collar to show off his pale and perfect skin, and a dark trench coat that brushed the edge of his boots. Shitkickers and a suit. Only the Rockcastle brothers could pull off that look. There was no need to paint his face. Dmitri had the immortal look down to a fine science. There was no mistaking he was a vampire. The seductive and sensual smile that hovered on his lips was proof enough. Not to mention the fangs.

  “Yes, although I think you’ve known that for quite a while.”

  He didn’t clarify but it wasn’t necessary. “Ready?”

  “Not quite.” I stood my ground, willing to come up with another plan if he didn’t cooperate. “What do you want in return, Dmitri?”

  A slow, seductive smile lifted the corners of his lips higher into a devilishly pleased grin. “You never disappoint, little Raven.”

  “Answer the question or I’m not coming with you.”

  If my response bothered him, he gave no indication he was annoyed. “Well, I . . .” he paused and frowned, his gaze penetrating the dark cemetery as if he suddenly wondered if we were truly alone. “Where’s your precious Cosan?”

  “None of your business.”

  “I’m afraid I must insist.” A hard edge entered his eyes, giving the emerald color a deep and sinister vibe.

  “You don’t trust me. I suppose that’s mutual.” Shrugging, I didn’t let it bother me. “They’re being misled as I sent magic in several different directions along with my scent to confuse them.”

  He nodded briefly and accepted the answer, but he wasn’t happy. “Why did you decide to come with me?” Dmitri scowled at the confirmation they weren’t far from our location, huffing under his breath in annoyance.

  “Why does that matter to you, vampire? If it meets both of our needs and accomplishes the same goal, then it’s not important.” My attempt to present logic only seemed to cause further aggravation.

  “You’re protecting them, aren’t you?”

  Like that was a shock. “Yeah, so?”

  “Their lives are too precious to you. The same as your family.”

  Again, no surprise. “Yes.” I couldn’t figure out why he was suddenly pissed.

  “I’ve changed my mind. We aren’t going.” He nearly hissed the words, striding forward quickly until we were nearly nose to nose.

  “What’s your problem, Dmitri?”

  “Nothing. I just don’t think you’re ready.”

  “Bullshit.” I shoved a finger into his solid, chiseled chest. “You’re a liar, Rockcastle.”

  “Fine,” he seethed. “I can’t take you with me. Your loyalty to your family and Cosan is admirable but I’m nothing but an expendable piece, an acceptable casualty of this personal war of yours with Roman. If I’m destroyed, you won’t mourn my ultimate death. That means I can’t trust you to have my back. Therefore, you’re not coming.”

  Even if he was partially right, I was still frustrated by his response. “You act like this is new information. It’s not as simple as you’re making it, Dmitri.”

  He snorted, grabbing my wrist and tugging me into his embrace. “You’re a fool, Cassandra Howe.”

  “Why are you acting like this?”

  He opened his mouth to argue when I suddenly had an epiphany and a giggle escaped my lips. He snapped his jaw shut, glaring daggers that would have sliced me into neat little ribbons had they been real.

  “You’re jealous.”

  Now that was a surprise for sure.

  Dmitri immediately released his grip and shoved me away, spinning on his heel as I followed behind, keeping as quiet as possible but highly entertained by the knowledge that I found the vampire’s only weakness. And it was a doozy. He wanted what he couldn’t have and had pushed away his whole existence. A family. It wasn’t funny that he desired to have what almost any sentient creature wanted. It was the fact that Dmitri Rockcastle was such an ass about everything, and I was shocked to find that deep inside he truly craved and cared about something other than himself.

  “I know what you want,” I whispered in a sing-song voice.

  Yeah, it was immature, but I couldn’t deny his scowl was priceless.

  “Leave me alone, Cassie. I’m not in the mood.”

  “You never are,” I quipped, dancing next to his side as he stopped. His expression turned feral as his eyes glowed a deep burgundy. I pissed him off and didn’t care. It was incredibly amusing after all we’d been through. “Oh, come on. This is the first thing I’ve truly learned about you that’s sweet.”

  He pinched the bridge of his nose like I gave him a headache. “I withdraw my invitation. This is simply unbearable.”

  “Dmitri, I’m almost twenty-one years old. Immaturity is bound to happen occasionally. I’ve nearly been destroyed a dozen times lately. Allow me a few minutes where I don’t have to battle death and the reality that everyone I love is in danger.” Shrugging, I continued, “Forgive me and move on. We have a witch to find.”

  He opened his mouth to issue a snappy retort but quickly spun in a circle, shoving me behind as he snarled at the darkness. “Come out, necromancer.”

  None other than Vincent Von Rügen emerged from between the outcropping of trees. “Good evening, Cassandra Howe.” He didn’t greet the vampire.

  “Shall I kill him?” Dmitri seemed excited by the prospect.

  “No.” I sent him a withering look before turning back to Vincent. “What do you want, Von Rügen?” The vampire gripped my hip as if to keep me in place next to his side before I had a chance to move.

  “Where you’re going, it makes sense to obtain the skills of a necromancer.”

  “And where would we be going?” Dmitri asked, his hold tightening around my waist.

  “Hell, of course.”

  “How did you learn of this?” Dmitri’s voice was low and calm, but his body stiffened with anger.

  “I’ve been lingering around Howe Manor and the cemetery. Wasn’t too hard to catch your conversation. You’re not exactly discreet.”

  Dmitri blinked as if he couldn’t believe Vincent said those words. I thought he was going to punch the necromancer or rip his arms off. Instead, he relaxed and even managed a small chuckle. “I think you’ll do nicely.”

  I had
half a mind to make Dmitri elaborate on his meaning but decided I didn’t want to know.

  “Why are you risking your life?” Vincent’s motivation probably had a lot to do with a certain fair-haired witch that lived in Howe Manor.

  “My dear, I simply seek to offer my services. Nothing more.” His eyes glowed with a mystical sheen and I was quickly reminded Vincent could hold his own in a fight.

  “Fine. The hour grows late. Let’s be on our way.”

  Vincent bowed and gestured for us to go first. Dmitri’s body was engulfed in sudden amber and scarlet flames, his arms surrounding my body in a tight embrace the same moment he reached for the necromancer’s wrist. We spun in a tight circle so fast I never had a chance to become dizzy. The ground beneath our feet was blackened and scorched but gave way and tumbled below where a large fissure had opened up, complete with hellfire and scorching heat that felt like it would melt my bones. The fall was frightening, similar to every nightmare I’d ever had about falling to my death. Dmitri tightened his hold around my waist as I buried my face in his neck, breathing in his familiar cinnamon scent.

  When we landed safely on our feet, I hugged Dmitri around the waist as tight as I could. Alive and unharmed, the next move on this strategic chessboard was my own. Time to find Roman English.

  Dmitri, Vincent, and I were alone now. Standing inside one of the gates of Hell, I was pretty sure this was the stupidest thing I had ever done. Only time would tell if that was true.

  Chapter 6

  “Shit,” I cursed, gnawing on my bottom lip with my teeth.

  “What now?” Dmitri asked, exasperation clear in his impatient tone.

  “I can’t feel the ancestors.”

  “Is there a reason you thought you would?” Vincent’s humor wasn’t appreciated.

  “Shut up,” Dmitri hissed, snarling in the necromancer’s direction. “Don’t be a distraction.” The surly vampire scowled as our eyes met. “We’re in Hell. The same rules don’t apply here. Try not to forget that. It’s too late to turn back so focus, little witch. I need you ready for anything.”

  Right. Because that was all that mattered. “Got it.”

  Wait. It suddenly occurred to me at that precise moment that Dmitri never put up much of a fuss when he figured out that I was only helping him because I didn’t want to bring my Cosan along. He clearly knew I was using him which meant he was also using me.

  “Shit,” I repeated, stopping in my tracks.

  The necromancer nearly barreled right into me and danced around my body, spinning with a light chuckle as he lifted his shoulders in a mocking shrug. “Women.”

  “This is tiresome,” Dmitri growled, leveling me with one of his signature scowls. “Out with it.”

  “You’re using me,” I accused.

  “And you’re just now figuring that out?”

  We both shot Vincent a glare.

  “Pet,” he began, speaking soft and slow like I was an imbecile. “We don’t have time for this.”

  “Why?” I asked, placing my hands on my hips. “I doubt Roman is going anywhere. Or is he impatient for us to arrive?” Narrowing my eyes, I took a threatening step forward. “You’re leading me into a trap.”

  Dmitri closed his eyes briefly and inhaled a deep breath. “If I wanted to hand you over to Roman, I would have done it already.”

  “Not if you were waiting for the right time.”

  “She has a point.”

  “Shut up,” I hissed at the exact same time that Dmitri snarled in his direction.

  Vincent took a step back and lifted his hands in surrender but the stupid grin on his face didn’t help with the tension coiled tight in my body. “Woah. You two are way too hostile.”

  “Answer the question, Dmitri.”

  “Cassie,” he warned, rubbing at a spot on the back of his neck. “We can discuss your insecurities at a later time. We’ve been hunted since the moment we arrived.”

  “What?”

  Vincent snorted in disgust. “I should have known. The dark energy around here is simply ravenous with hunger.”

  “We need to move. Now.” Dmitri didn’t bother to wait for an answer. He bolted forward using his vampire speed and the necromancer and I were forced to try and keep up.

  “Which level of Hell are we in?” I asked, running after the vampire who seemed to glide above the ground instead of actually touching it.

  “The lowest,” he responded with a hiss, pulling both me and Vincent into a nearby dark cave. “Be quiet if you want to live.”

  Scoffing, I shoved his arms away and flicked my fingers, chanting a small protection spell and then adding one of my favorite illumination ones right after. “Lumos.” The small ball of violet light hovered around my head like a floating blacklight, allowing enough light not to stumble around blindly.

  The lowest level of Hell was home to the most voracious, frightening, and monstrous beast known to mankind. The Leviathan was a hungry dragon of immense size whose breath was said to consume mortal flesh on the spot before the flames ever had a chance. Leviathan roamed the lowest level of Hell to hunt for prey. His onyx scales were known to be sharper than a mighty broadsword while the beast’s eyes glowed with an eerie light to illuminate the darkness of the Underworld.

  And this was where Dmitri brought us.

  Urban legend or not, I wasn’t taking any chances. Judging by the vampire’s actions, I was positive Leviathan wasn’t a myth. Why the hell did he bring us here?

  “Tell me why we’re in the lowest level of Hell,” I commanded with a whisper, yanking Dmitri close to my side as we flattened against the wall. A roaring noise like thunder shook the ground and rumbled the surface beneath our feet. Rocks bounced from overhead and nearly hit us both as they tumbled downward, rolling into the dark abyss beyond our line of sight.

  Vincent joined us, shaking his head. “For the record, this is utter and complete suicide.”

  Thank you, Captain Obvious.

  Dmitri snorted, ignoring the necromancer. “The only way to reach the Tomb of Lost Souls is through Leviathan’s Lair.”

  Blinking, I knew I must have heard Dmitri wrong. There was no way he wanted us to breach Leviathan’s forbidden cave of treasures and enter the Tomb of Lost Souls. His lair was a Hellmouth. No mortal had ever stepped a foot in there and survived. Witch or not, I was totally and completed screwed. The ancestor’s power would be of little help even if I could access it here in Hell. No, Dmitri Rockcastle wasn’t that stupid.

  Right?

  “This is a joke.”

  Dmitri didn’t hesitate to throw his body in front of mine when a sudden whoosh of bright lime green fire entered the cave and we were all flung backward, scattering like a bunch of matchsticks in the wind. Everything the flames touched melted into liquid muck, briefly turning a putrid color and stinking worse than stomach bile. I resisted the urge to retch and buried my head into Dmitri’s neck as he cursed, tugging my body closer.

  Another round of flames burst through the open mouth of the cavern and we rolled to the side, narrowly missing the bulk of the savagely burning dragon fire. Leviathan was nothing if not persistent. I knew the beast wasn’t going to cease his assault until we were all destroyed.

  Dmitri must have guessed my thoughts. He tilted my chin up as his mouth crashed down on mine, stealing a passionate kiss as I struggled against him, shoving at his arms and chest without success. The kiss lasted far longer than I would have thought considering the circumstances, but the vampire only pulled away when a familiar voice echoed through the entrance.

  “Step away from the Howe witch, now.”

  Kayde!

  With joy, I jumped to my feet as the rest of my Cosan entered the cave, each armed and wearing identical furious expressions.

  Damn.

  I was in big trouble.

  Chapter 7

  The reunion was short-lived as the ground rumbled beneath our feet and Leviathan returned.

  Damian darted forward and pulled me int
o his embrace, snarling at his sibling as they stared one another down. “I won’t forget this, brother. You placed my witch in serious harm.”

  ‘I’m so furious with you I can’t speak aloud,’ Damian hissed in my head.

  ‘I didn’t have a choice.’

  ‘You always have a choice!’

  Well, that wasn’t helping. Yelling didn’t change a damn thing. Of course, I expected the tongue lashing. When he didn’t say more, I gulped loudly, ignoring the urge to cry. Didn’t they understand? I didn’t want my guys following me into Hell. I thought I made myself clear back at Howe Manor.

  “Isn’t this cozy?” Vincent asked in a sing-song voice, flinging his body away from a melting pile of molten rock as it slithered down the cavern wall. “And here I thought I’d be dying with just the cynical vampire and the cute, clueless witch.”

  Damian slammed a right hook into the necromancer’s jaw and sent him flying backward as he landed with a muted thud. The only noise that followed was a mild grunt.

  ‘That’s one way to shut him up.’

  Damian didn’t acknowledge my observation. Yeah, he was pissed.

  “I suppose keeping the violence to a minimum is out of the question,” I muttered aloud with sarcasm.

  Silence followed, punctuated by heavy breathing and plenty of scowls.

  All of my Cosan appeared to be struggling for control over their emotions. Damian was so furious he’d dropped his glamour without realizing it. Dmitri quickly followed as his monstrous vampire form emerged and the leathery black wings flapped lightly with his annoyance. Gabriel shifted into his werewolf and growled with sinister intent as I was yanked into his embrace and forced to endure his Lycan tongue and rough muzzle over a good portion of my body from chest and neck to the top of my head.

  Kayde was holding a massive crossbow and locking a huge steel pointed arrow into place. An odd scarlet mist surrounded the tip and must have been some kind of poison. He sneered in my direction, not bothering to say a word. I expected the hunter to have a little bit of a fit. It fit with his M.O.